Skip to content

New Alberni pool project schematics revealed

Parks and Recreation staff and project consultants presented three schematics of what a new pool facility would look like and cost at a public meeting on Monday night.
30745alberninewpool1-July1-0904
Parks and Recreation lifeguard Miki Schwarz answers a question about one of three schematics depicting the proposed new Echo Pool at a public information session on Monday night.

The schematics have been viewed and the feedback positive so now it’s on to the next step in the new Echo Pool process.

More than 70 people attended the public information session about the new pool at Echo Centre on Monday night.

There, project consultants and Parks and Recreation staff presented three schematics of what a new pool facility would look like and cost, as well as answered questions about each.

The first option would cost $15 million and would see the existing facility retained.

A new 250 square metre leisure pool and 15 person family hot pool would be added, as well as fitness and yoga rooms and new change rooms.

The second option costs $15 million.

The existing pool would again be retained but divided into two with the shallow having warm water and the deep end cold water.

A new 250 sq. m leisure pool would be built along with a 20 person hot pool and a 100 metre long wave rider pool.

The third option would cost $18 million and would see the addition of an entirely new aquatic facility.

The facility would include a six-lane pool would be accessible by both ramp and staircase, a 300 sq. m leisure pool, 100 m wave rider pool and a family hot pool.

The existing building would be renovated to house a dry land fitness centre that includes a fitness facility, yoga room and other multi-purpose rooms.

With the schematics the project has become more tangible and the feedback so far us good, said Parks and Recreation’s Ron Doetzel.

“People were more concerned about chlorine and water filtration,” Doetzel said.

“But there’s more of a sense of wonderment really – like when will something happen.”

The next step is to further tabulate public input and to generate a final schematic, project consultant Bill Webster said.

The subject of cost and how it will be paid for hasn’t been broached in the early stages of the project.

But a final schematic will give a clearer indication of what the tab will be.

“We’ll have a more specific dollar figure then,” Webster said.

The schematic will be presented to the project steering committee and further public input will be sought.

A draft report on the project will be released in the early fall and a final report made to city council at Christmas, Webster said.

reporter@albernivalleynews.com